Without Formal Training, Austinite Nathan Felix Creates Full Symphony

If you’re wondering who composed this wondrous music, his name is Nathan Felix. Thanks to a basketball injury in High School, Nathan picked up his brother’s guitar and discovered the power of making music. Some time later during a road trip, Nathan found himself listening to classical music for the first time.

After that day, Nathan said he “stopped listening to music completely…The only thing I would listen to was classical music…I didn’t know anything about [classical music], so I didn’t know where to go. I bought one CD, and it was Bach. 25 greatest hits. That was my starting point.”

Austin-based composer Nathan Felix (Photo credit: austin.gov)

With a cuppa joe in hand at The Brew & Brew, I listened to Nathan’s story. Since his cross-country “a-ha” moment in 2004, Nathan became one busy fella. He contacted every and anyone he knew who had any remote association with classical music. “I didn’t know any composers, and I don’t think I even knew there was such a thing as a present-day composer.”

A Symphony Is Born

A couple of classical shows at Bass Concert Hall and eight years later, you have The Curse The Cross & the The Lion. It’s Nathan’s first symphony and a profound story with themes of strife, courage, and love. “I want everyone to listen to [The Curse The Cross & The Lion] and make their own story in their head…get lost and create [your] own story.”

The real shocker? Nathan has never had any formal training in music composition.

Nathan’s work has been featured in movie scores, commercials, and BBC’s music festival in London. While you’re waiting for his new album – yes, a new one – and the symphonic performance in the works, pop in to Waterloo Records or visit his site to purchase his incredible work.

It’s interviews like these that remind me of the power of human interaction over coffee and discussing (very) guilty musical pleasures. Although I didn’t follow my regular beat of attending a show and reviewing the musician or band’s onstage presence and music for you, I still had an artist to meet and share with the Austin community. A community that is recharged through the vibrant energy musicians offer. As we approach the new year, why not make a list of bands to check out in 2014?

And, of course, if you kinda sorta know me, I really like to ask people what Austin spots they frequent. Turns out you can find Nathan and company eating “the best” burgers at Phil’s Icehouse on S. Lamar or munching on authentic Mexican taco from a food truck after a night of dancing at Barbarella, aka Barbs.

Joana is a Music Enthusiast, a Coffee Snob, a Foreign Policy Nerd, and Amy Poehler’s BFFL. Follow her hoodrat and nonsensical thoughts on Twitter.

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